Beneath the Stagnant Sky

CHAPTER IV

A WALK UNDER FADED STREETLIGHTS

The café is bathed in warm afternoon sunlight, the air filled with the rich scent of coffee and pastries. It's one of those rare quiet moments when the morning rush has died down, and Eli finally has a chance to breathe.

She's behind the counter, wearing her signature customer-service smile—bright, warm, and utterly deceptive.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to Maeve's Corner! What can I get for you today?" she chirps, radiating fake enthusiasm as she greets a new customer.

Caelum watches from the corner of the café, arms crossed, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. He had seen many versions of Eli—the distant, indifferent girl who made a reckless wish, the tired soul burdened by something unspoken—but this version? The overly friendly, cheerful barista? It's almost comical.

When the customer leaves, Caelum finally approaches the counter, leaning on it with an exaggerated curiosity.

"So this is what you do?" he muses. "You smile at strangers and pretend to be a ray of sunshine?"

Eli, still maintaining her overly sweet tone, tilts her head at him. "Oh, Caelum! Welcome to my humble café! Would you like a caramel macchiato with a shot of mind your own business?"

Caelum chuckles. He wasn't expecting that.

"No need. I'm already entertained," he replies smoothly, tapping a finger on the wooden counter. "I never thought I'd see the day when Eli, the girl who couldn't care less about consequences, would play the part of a polite little barista."

Eli rolls her eyes but keeps her customer-service act going. "You wound me. I am the epitome of hospitality."

She turns to prepare a drink, pretending not to care about his presence. But when she glances back at him, she finds him still watching her—not with mockery, but with genuine interest.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asks, suddenly uncomfortable under his gaze.

Caelum shrugs. "Just thinking. You wear that mask well, but it must be exhausting."

Her hands still for a fraction of a second before she quickly regains composure. With a playful scoff, she slides a cup of black coffee toward him.

"Here. On the house. Maybe some bitterness will suit you."

Caelum smirks, accepting the drink. "I'll take it. But you know, if you ever get tired of pretending, you don't have to do it around me."

Eli doesn't respond to that. Instead, she busies herself wiping the counter, pretending his words don't affect her.

But maybe—just maybe—they do.

>>

The bell above the café door jingled as Eli clapped her hands together, catching the attention of her coworkers. "Alright, guys, you know the drill. Close up by eight, and don't forget to check the register before locking up. I'm heading out."

Her colleagues exchanged knowing glances, smirking at each other before one of them, Lisa, leaned on the counter with a teasing grin. "Sure thing, boss. Oh, and looks like your number one customer is still here."

Eli frowned. "Huh?"

Another coworker, Jake, wiggled his eyebrows and tilted his head toward the corner booth. "He's been here all day, just sitting there. Looks like someone's got a devoted fan."

Eli followed their gazes and, to her surprise, saw Caelum lounging in the same spot he'd claimed earlier, one arm draped over the back of his chair as he looked directly at her with an amused smirk. She rolled her eyes but kept her bright, professional smile on her face. "You're all imagining things. See you tomorrow."

She grabbed her bag and pushed through the door, inhaling the cool evening air—only to hear footsteps behind her. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"You really stayed the whole day?" Eli asked, adjusting the strap of her bag as Caelum fell into step beside her.

"I had nothing better to do," he replied nonchalantly. "And watching you pretend to be the ever-cheerful café owner was oddly entertaining."

Eli scoffed, keeping her gaze forward. "Pretend? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on," he drawled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "That overly polite tone, the way you laugh a little too easily at their jokes, even the way you brush off their teasing—it's all a well-practiced act."

She stiffened slightly but quickly masked it with a laugh. "I think you're reading too much into things. I'm just doing my job."

Caelum didn't push further, but the knowing look in his eyes told her he wasn't convinced. Instead, he changed the subject. "So, do you want to make your second wish now?"

Eli hesitated. She hadn't given it much thought, especially after her first wish had actually worked. Sleeping without dreams had given her a strange kind of relief, yet she still wasn't sure if she fully trusted Caelum or his so-called ability to grant wishes.

"I don't know yet," she admitted. "Do I have to decide right away?"

Caelum shrugged. "Not really. But you only get one per day, so you might as well use it. Unless... you're afraid?"

Eli scoffed. "Afraid? Of what?"

"That you might actually get what you ask for." His voice was softer this time, almost thoughtful. "Or that it might come with a price you're not ready to pay."

She fell silent, staring ahead as they walked. A small part of her knew he was right, but she wasn't about to admit it. Instead, she smirked and changed the topic. "You're oddly invested in my wishes. What's in it for you, anyway?"

Caelum chuckled. "Let's just say it's my job."

She raised an eyebrow. "A job that consists of sitting in cafés all day and following girls' home? Sounds productive."

He grinned. "You're special, Eli."

She rolled her eyes at that but didn't comment. The conversation drifted into comfortable silence as they continued walking. When they finally reached her house, Eli glanced at him one last time. "Thanks for walking me home, I guess."

"Anytime." Caelum's usual smirk returned. "Let me know when you're ready to make that second wish."

Eli crossed her arms. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that? I don't have your number, and you're basically a ghost online."

Caelum chuckled and pulled a small, silver coin from his pocket, pressing it into her hand. "Just hold this and think of me. I'll come find you."

Eli eyed the coin skeptically before slipping it into her pocket. "That's not weird at all."

He simply smirked. "Goodnight, Eli."

She watched as he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night. She sighed, unlocking the door and stepping inside, her mind lingering on his words.

Was she afraid?

Maybe.

***